The Hermit's Barley-Field

In the year 1757, during the Seven Years' War between Frederick the Great, King of Prussia, and other European Powers, it happened that a cavalry officer was commissioned to go forth on a foraging expedition in one of the provinces occupied by the troops.

When he reached a certain valley where he had expected to find abundance of corn, he discovered that the whole country as far as his eyes could reach was barren and uncultivated. He was about to return to the camp, when his eyes happened to fall on a hut almost hidden in the dense foliage of a thicket not far from the rough path on which he rode.

Going up to the door, he knocked, and it was opened by a hermit, whose hair and beard, white as the driven snow, showed that he had reached the evening of life.

"My father," said the officer, "could you point out to me any place in the neighborhood where I might be able to procure provisions for our horses?"

The old man informed him that at some distance there was a field of barley, and offered his services to accompany him and his men, and point it out to them.

When they had proceeded about the distance of a mile through the valley, they came to a field on which was growing a magnificent crop of the cereal they wanted.

"Ah," cried out the officer, on seeing it, "this must be the place. What a splendid crop!"

"No, sir," replied the hermit, "the field to which I am leading you is still at a little distance, but we shall soon now reach it."

About half a mile further on they came to another field, covered also with ripe corn, but not so luxuriant as the one they had passed. Here the hermit stopped, and pointing to it, said: "This is th field of which I spoke to you."

The men dismounted and cut down the ripe crop; them binding it in large bundles, placed them upon their horses, and returned by the path they had come. When they were passing near the other field, the officer thus accosted the hermit: "My Father, you have made us take a useless journey in bringing us so far, when here, much nearer to your abode, is a field of barley even more abundant than the one you brought us to."

"Yes, sir," replied the old man, "the barley in this field is certainly better than that which you have taken; but then, this field belongs to someone else, whereas the field you have harvested belongs to me."

The officer, struck with astonishment at these words, and filled with admiration at the conduct of the pious old man, uncovered his head, and bowed it towards him in token of his profound respect. He had observed with scrupulous exactness during his whole lifetime every point of honor exacted by his position, but he had never before seen an example of such admirable disinterestedness displayed by those among whom his rank caused him to be associated. "This is indeed the sublime fruit which the love of God and of His law produces," he said, "in the hearts of those who love God and serve Him perfectly."

The Catechism in Examples Vol. IIIBy: Rev. D. Chisholm 1908

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A Visit to the Country

May is a little girl who has always lived in the city. She has come with her mother for her first visit to the country. Every thing is new and strange to her. She has never seen real live chickens, or ducks, or geese before. She is just a little bit afraid of them.

Her cousins, Bessie and Frank, have taken her out to the grove to play. Bessie is sitting on a log in a cool shady place. She holds May on her knee.

Frank has just brought a tiny chick and placed it in May's hand. She seems to be afraid to touch the downy thing, but Frank tells her it can not hurt her. He holds his hand so it won't fall and get hurt for he loves his little chick.

After a while May sees that it will not hurt her and she thinks it would be nice to have a chick to keep. Soon May's mother comes out to see how her little girl is getting along. They start back to the house for it is almost supper time.

In the way back they pass the barn yard. May sees some little yellow balls and thinks they are little chicks. She runs to pick one up when she hears a dreadful hiss. The old gander was trying to save his goslings. May is so frightened she cries out, mamma, mamma, save me!

Her mother hurries and takes her frightened little girl in her arms. She tells her that the gander did not mean to hurt her. He was only taking care of his family.

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The Chicken's Mistake

A little downy chick one dayAsked leave go on the water,Where she saw a duck with her brood at play,Swimming and splashing about her.

Need, she began to peep and cry,When her mother would not let her,"If the ducks can swim there, why can't I?Are they and bigger or better?"

Then the old hen answered, "Listen to me,And hush your foolish talking,Just look at your feet, and you will seeThey were only made for walking."

But chicky wistfully eyed the brook,And didn't half believe her,For she seems to say, by a knowing look,such stories could not deceive her.

And as her mother was scratching the ground, She muttered lower and lower,"I know I can go there and not be drowned,And so I think I'll show her."

Then she made a plunge where the stream was deep,And saw too late her blunder;For she had hardly taken time to peep,When her foolish head went under.

And now I hope her fate will showThe child my story reading,That this who are older sometimes knowWhat you will do well in heeding;

That each content in his place should dwell,And envy not his brother;For any part that is acted wellIs just as good as another;

For we all have our proper spheres below,And 't is a truth worth knowing:You wil lome to grief if you try to goWhere you never were made for going.

Catholic National ReaderBenzinger Bros. 1889

Its a hot summer and we know mother's like to nourish their children with wonderful things, we have found that most children love our Bloom'n Hibiscus Cooler. Use coupon code YOUNGFARMER16 for 10% off your order from our farm shop :) Happy hydrating!

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The Sunflower's Lesson

A nice little Sunflower, just over the way,Is blooming four inches tall,I should say,And what is the reason it blossoms so low?Has bright little Sunflower forgotten to grow?

O, no! but the season is getting quite late;The frosts will be coming, and so it can't wait.It seems to be saying, the Sunflower so small,Better blossom thus low than not blossom at all!

This lesson I read in the Sunflower's face:To fill well a low place is not a disgrace.Make the most of your time, and your talents tho' small:Better bloom in low place than not bloom at all.

Catholic National ReaderBenzinger Bros. 1889

Its a hot summer and we know mother's like to nourish their children with wonderful things, we have found that most children love our Bloom'n Hibiscus Cooler. Use coupon code YOUNGFARMER16 for 10% off your order from our farm shop :) Happy hydrating!

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Creation and Providence

SING the almighty power of God, That made the mountains rise; That spread the flowing seas abroad, And built the lofty skies.

I sing the wisdom that ordained The sun to rule the day: The moon shines full at His command. And all the stars obey.

I sing the goodness of the Lord, That filled the earth with food: He formed the creatures with His word, And then pronounced them good.

Lord ! how Thy wonders are displayed. Where'er I turn mine eye; If I survey the ground I tread, Or gaze upon the sky!

There's not a plant or flower below, But makes Thy glories known; And clouds arise and tempests blow, By order from Thy throne.

Creatures (as numerous as they be) Are subject to Thy care; There's not a place where we can flee. But God is present there.

In heaven He shines with beams of love; With wrath in hell beneath! 'Tis on His earth I stand or move, And 'tis His air I breathe.

His hand is my perpetual guard; He keeps me with His eye: Why should I then forget the Lord, Who is forever nigh ?

​The Metropolitan Second ReaderBy: A Member of the Holy Order of the Cross 1883​

Its a hot summer and we know mother's like to nourish their children with wonderful things, we have found that most children love our Bloom'n Hibiscus Cooler. Use coupon code YOUNGFARMER16 for 10% off your order from our farm shop :) Happy hydrating!

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"I think you like tomatoes, John," said his grandmother. "Yes, grandma, I do," said Joh. "I like them raw, baked, and almost every way." "I wonder if you would like them the way I ate them last summer out West?" said Cousin May. "We ate them like fruit, with cream and sugar." "I should like to try them that way," said John. "Why, bless you, child!" said grandma, "we will have some for supper. That is the way I used to eat them long ago."

"Did you not like tomatoes when you were little, grandma?" asked John, as he saw her looking at him with a smile in her bright eyes. "No," said grandma, "because I was a big girl before I ever tasted them. I never saw any until I was twelve years old.

"I can remember it so well! A man who came to our farm once a month bringing many little things to sell, brought the seed to my good mother. He used to carry seeds and slips of plants from one farmer's wife to the next. He was such a kind old gentleman that they all liked to see him coming. One spring morning he came. After mother had bought from him all that she needed, and he had fed his horses and was sitting by the fire, he put his hands into his big pockets in search of something. At last, he drew out a very small package and handed it to mother. "

"I have brought you some love-apple seeds,' he said. 'I got them in the city. I gave my sister half of them, and saved the other half for you.'

"'Thank you, kindly,' said mother, as she looked at the little yellow seeds. 'I am glad to get them. What kind of plant is the love-apple?'

"' Well,' said the man, 'the person who gave me the seeds had his plants last year in the sunny corner. The flowers are small, but the fruit is bright red, and is very pretty among the dark green leaves. you should not eat the fruit: it is poisonous. The man who gave me the seeds got them from a friend in South America. The love-apples grow wild down there.'

"So mother planted her love-apple seeds in the warm corner. In a short time, they grew; the little yellow blossoms came; and then the green fruit, which soon changed to a pretty red. We children would go and look at it, talk about it, and wonder if it would hurt us if we ate it. On one occasion, mother heard us talking about it. She called us to her and said: 'If you children cannot look at the pretty fruit without wanting to eat it, then I shall have to pull up all my love-apple vines, and throw them away.'

"We knew that she would not like to do that, because she was very proud of the vines. So we kept away from that corner. In the meantime, the vines grew and blossomed, and the red showed in new places every day. The birds did not seem to be afraid of the poisonous fruit. They ate all they wanted of it. One day, in the early autumn, my Uncle George came from the city of New York to visit us. When he went into the garden, he stopped in great surprise.

'Why, Mary, what fine tomato vines you have!' he said to my mother. 'Where in the world did you get them?'

"'We call them love-apples,' said mother. Then she told him how she got the seeds.

"When my Uncle George found that we were afraid to eat them, he had a good laugh at us. Then he showed mother how to prepare some for our supper."

"' Don't be afraid to eat the tomatoes, children: they will do you no harm,' uncle said.

"We did eat them; and enjoyed them very much."

The Ideal Catholic Readers; Third ReaderBy: A Sister of St. Joseph + Imprimatur 1915

Its a hot summer and we know mother's like to nourish their children with wonderful things, we have found that most children love our Bloom'n Hibiscus Cooler. Use coupon code YOUNGFARMER16 for 10% off your order from our farm shop :) Happy hydrating!

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The Bee-hive

NATURE affords but few more striking evidences of then wisdom and the goodness of the Creator, than may be observed in the labors of bees. The observer is at a loss which to admire most, the wonderful manner in which these insects are adapted to their circumstances, or the unity, industry, loyalty, and sagacity which prevail among them.

When they begin to work in their hives, they divide themselves into four companies ; one of which roves the fields in search of materials ; another employs itself in laying out the bottom and partitions of then: cells ; a third is employed in smoothing the walls ; and the fourth company brings food for the rest, or relieves those who return with their respective burdens.

But they are not kept constantly at one employment; they often change the tasks assigned them; those that have been at work, being permitted to go abroad, and those that have been in the fields take their places.

They seem even to have signs by which they understand each other ; for when any of them wants food, he holds out his trunk towards the bee from which he expects it. The latter, understanding the desire of his companion, immediately deposits for his use a small quantity of honey. Their diligence and labor are so great that in a few days they are enabled to make cells sufficient for several thousand bees. In the plan and formation of these cells they display a wonderful sagacity.

The danger of being stung by bees, may be in a great measure prevented by remaining quiet. A thousand bees will fly and buzz about a person without hurting him, if he stands' perfectly still and does not disturb them even if they are near his face. It is said that a person is in perfect safety in the midst of a swarm of bees, if he is careful to shut his mouth, and breathe gently through his nostrils.

Many amusing stories are told about the effect produced by the sting of bees. In 1825, a mob attacke'd the house of a gentleman in Germany. He endeavored in vain to dissuade them from their designs ; at length when every thing else had failed, he ordered his servants to bring a large bee-hive which he threw into the midst of the enraged multitude. The result answered his expectations. The mobites, stung by the bees, immediately fled in all directions, and thus gave the gentleman time to escape from their fury.

​Bees have one fault common to bad boys, they are inclined to fight among themselves. Quarrels and combats are frequent among them. Sometimes it seems that their contests are commenced in the hive, as the combatants may often be seen coming out in the greatest fury, and joining in the deadly strife the moment they reach the door of the hive. In some cases a bee peaceably settled on the outside of the hive is rudely jostled by another, and then a fierce struggle is commenced, each endeavoring to obtain the advantage of the position.

They turn, dance about, throttle each other, and such is their bitter eagerness, that a person can approach near to them without their perceiving it.

Other times, the combat takes place in the hive, and in those cases the contest usually continues until one kills the other ; then the victor takes up the dead body of his antagonist and carries it outside the hive. Bees are remarkable for their industry, and those among them that will not, or cannot work, are driven from the hive and not permitted to return.

​The Metropolitan Third Reader​By A Member of the Order of the Holy Cross 1872

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Birds in Summer

How pleasant the life of a bird must be,Flitting about in each leafy tree;In the leafy trees so broad and tall,Like a green and beautifal palace hall,With its airy chambers, light and boon,*That open to sun, and stars, and moon;That open unto the bright blue sky,And the frolicsome winds as they wander by!

They have left their nests on the forest bough;Those homes of delight they need not now ;And the young and the old they wander out,And traverse their green world round about;And hark!at the top of this leafy hall.How one to the other in love they call!" Come up ! come up!" they seem to say,"Where the topmost twigs in the breezes sway.

" Come up, come up ! for the world is fairWhere the merry leaves dance in the summer air."And the birds below give back the cry,"We come, we come to the branches high." How pleasant the lives of the birds must be,Living in love in a leafy tree !And away through the air what joy to go,And to look on the green, bright earth below!

How pleasant the life of a bird must be,Skimming about on the breezy sea;Cresting the billows like silvery foam.Then wheeling away to its cliff-built home !"What joy it must be to sail, upborneBy a strong, free wing, through the rosy morn'!To meet the young sun face to face,And pierce like a shaft the boundless space ;

To pass through the bowers of the silver cloud;To sing in the thunder halls aloudTo spread out the wings for a wild, free flightWith the upper-cloud winds,--Oh, what delightOh, what would I give, like a bird, to goRight on through the arch of the sun-lit bow,And see how the water-drops are kiss'dInto green, and yellow, and amethyst!

How pleasant the life of a bird must be,Wherever it listeth there to flee.To go when a joyful fancy calls.Dashing adown 'mong the waterfalls ;Then to wheel about with their mates at play,Above, and below, and among the spray,​Hither and thither, with screams as wildAs the laughing mirth of a rosy child !

What joy it must be, like a living breeze.To flutter about 'mid the flowering trees ;Lightly to soar, and to see beneathThe wastes of the blossoming purple heath,And the yellow fiirze, like fields of gold.That gladden'd some fairy region old !On mountain tops, on the billowy sea,On tha leafy stems of the forest tree,How pleasant the life of a bird must be!​-Metropolitian Third ReaderBy a Member of the Order of the Holy Cross 1872

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How to Plant Carrots- ObedienceThis mornings question: What is the fourth commandment? Honor thy father and thy mother. Honor in that catechism answer means to obey. Every one of Christ's children must learn to obey. To obey does not mean to do what you are told. It means to do exactally as you are told. There is a difference there. Maybe this story will help to make that clear to you.

While the great St. Francis of Assisi was alive two men came to the door of his monastery and asked if they could join his order - the Friars Minor. St. Francis asked them several questions and finally said, "Will you keep the vow of poverty? Both the men said they would. "Will you keep the vow of chastity?" asked Francis. "We will," replied the men. Finally St. Francis asked, "Will you keep the vow of obedience?" Both said "Yes." "Then come with me," said St. Francis, and he led the two men into the garden. In the garden the two men got the correct idea of the religious life and of obedience. St. Francis gave them each, of all things, two carrots and said, "Plant these." The two began to dig into the ground. "Now," said the Saint, "I do not want them just planted. I want them planted upside down." One man planted his carrots upside down. The other man scratched his head and said, "Oh, no, Father Francis, you are a very holy man and know many things, but you do not know how to plant carrots. Here's how you do it. You plant them this way." And he planted his right side up. St. Francis smiled at him tolerantly and said, "Young man, you would make a very good gardener, because you plant carrots right side up, but you will not make a good Franciscan unless you learn to obey. Now plant them upside down. You must learn that to obey means to do exactly what you are told to do." But St. Francis was not finished with his lesson on obedience. He said, "What a shame! I've made you spoil the carrots that were meant for our supper. There are some nice ones in the next garden. Jump over the fence to steal two of the carrots. Immediately St. Francis called him back and finished the lesson. "To plant carrots upside down is one thing. To steal them is another. You must obey your superiors - but only in things which are not sinful."

That story shows that obedience means that we should do exactly as we are told as long s we are not told to sin. It does not mean that we may do the thing any old way that we please. If we are told to do our homework now, that means that we must do it now and not after we finish the chapter of the novel we are reading. If we are told to be home at seven o'clock, we do not obey if we just straggle home when we are ready. We must be home on time. If our parents wanted us home at 7:15 they would say 7:15. But they said seven and that meant seven, IF we are told to wash the dishes, we do not obey if we put them away without being dried properly. To be obedient we must do exactly what we are told. That means that we must do the things we are told to do (and not something else); when we are told to do it (not when we feel like it) and in the proper manner (not carelessly or sloppily). If you do not do all of these things you cannot call yourselves obedient. Both of the men in the story planted the carrots in the ground but one was obedient and the other was not. One did exactly as he was told. The other did it the way he felt like doing it. Remember this next time you are told to do something. If you are told to plant carrots upside down, then plant them upside down. It is not your mistake if you do what you are told to do. You obeyed - and to obey means to do exactly what you are told to do.

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